Sox considering options with Peavy

As each day comes off the schedule, it seems to make more and more sense for the White Sox to pull the plug on Jake Peavy and his injury-riddled season and wait for 2010.

Peavy is scheduled to throw another sideline Wednesday, and there is still a chance he'll make a start for the Sox this year.

Acquired in a July 31 trade from the San Diego Padres, the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched since early June due to ankle and and elbow ailments.

"Right now, if he has a good sideline our options are, give him a couple days off and maybe pitch him in a game unless we feel he needs another sideline," said Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "Do that again (sideline) and then let him start a game and let our eyes dictate what we're going to do. Let him go out there and pitch 2, 3, 4, maybe 5 innings."

What about shutting Peavy down for the season?

Manager Ozzie Guillen had been an advocate of the plan once the White Sox are out of contention, which seems to be the obvious case now.

But Guillen on Tuesday said he would like to see Peavy start a game this season for a different reason.

"The only thing I would like is for him to throw one game so at least we can see what (he) is," Guillen said. "Then he can shut it down or continue to pitch. I would like, before the season's over, seeing him on the mound and exactly what stage he's at. But he will say what he wants."

The quote: Manager Ozzie Guillen was asked again Tuesday why he is willing to take all of the blame for the White Sox' disappointing season.

"I always say, when the country is not going well it's one guy's fault, the president," Guillen said. "I am the president of this ballclub."

Rios sits out: Alex Rios was not in the starting lineup Tuesday, and the slumping outfielder is batting .154 with 1 home run and 3 RBI in 22 games with the Sox since being claimed off waivers.

He is still guaranteed $59.7 million from 2010-14, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen again went to bat for Rios on Tuesday.

"Alex will be fine, man, Alex will be fine," Guillen said. "I think Alex is going through a process right now where he's trying to impress people. It's the first time he ever played with another organization and different people. It's not easy, especially when the expectations are so high.

"I guarantee you when Alex starts with us next year, sees how we work and gets comfortable, Alex will be fine. He's a good ballplayer, he's been for a long time."

Minor matters: The Sox' minor-league teams finished the regular season with a 422-344 record (.551), the third-highest winning percentage in the majors.

Class AA Birmingham (92-47) established a franchise record for wins.